on cattle once genomics, homozygous trait testing
along with additional testing options that have all
increased accuracy within the race to supply high quality
seedstock to the commercial cattle producer.
The following bullet points were shared with the board:
1. More producers are taking advantage of genomic profiler
information on their cattle. Many have moved past testing
only their A.I. sires and donor dams, with many getting
genomic profilers on their complete bull sale offering. Even
more apparent now, many are beginning to get their cow
herds genomically enhanced to further improve their mating
selections come breeding time, helping these operations mate
for a complete set of well-balanced EPDs on their herd.
2. GeneSeek consultant, Leoma Wells, conveyed to the group
the value of genomically enhancing EPDs on your cow factory.
While many are getting their bull sale offering enhanced, you
actually market those cattle every year and you have supplied
genetic value accuracy to your buyers purchase, but your
cows stay on your place for 10-12 years. Many operations are
beginning to test parts of their cowherd each year in an effort
to spread the cost of testing out but increase their mating
accuracy with more accurate EPDs on their cowherd.
3. The lab is encouraging breeders to move away from hair
samples to blood and tissue submissions. There is less error rate
on the latter two forms of DNA submission. Many customers
are moving to the exclusive use of Tissue Sampling Units,
given the ease of collection and decreased failure rate. The
process of testing tissue at the lab is more highly automated
than that of hair or blood, which helps improve testing
efficiency. If you have not inquired or are using tissue sampling,
please call Alison or Tammy at the NALF office for detail.
4. Genomics will continue to be utilized and relied upon
much more heavily in the seedstock business given the
seedstock businesses migration to single-step cattle
evaluations and increased demand from buyers to have
the enhanced accuracy on the genetic purchases.
Some of the business highlights that board members discussed at
the spring board of directors meeting are listed below, given the
agendas of the NALF committee meetings also held this spring.
Breed improvement committee – The importance of turning in
performance data alongside genomic testing on cattle was covered
Motivated by
Quality
We’re proud to continue the tradition
of functional quality established by
Gordon and Earline Schuppe of Elmwood
Limousin. Our herd reflects many of their
top cow families.
CAFC
Fireworks
816F
Double Black • Polled • Lim-Flex
COLE Absolute 05A x Connealy In Sure 8524
CED: 10 BW: 2.3 WW: 82 YW: 139 MK: 21
SC: 1.39 ST: 18 Doc: 12 YG: -0.37 CW: 18
REA: 1.09 MB: 0.21 FT: -0.03 $MTI: 65.75
This yearling bull was a popular high
seller in our 2019 sale. He blends loads
of eye appeal and top performance
with an adj. ribeye of 18.54 sq. inches.
He also ranked in the top 1% for year-
ling weight EPD and top 3% for both
weaning and ribeye EPD’s.
We have another impressive set of
calves sired by MAGS Cable, COLE
Deputy, SydGen Fate 2800, a proven
Angus bull, and other top sires. Watch
for updates.
6th Annual Bull Sale
March 25, 2020
Sterling, Colorado
Andy & Crystal Frank
24507 CR 53
Iliff, Colorado 80736
Andy’s Cell: 970-580-0550
[email protected]
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